I don't like getting involved in these arguments, but I actually agree that Leeds are a slightly bigger club than Saints. They do have a lot of fans and they've had more previous success. They're higher up in the all-time Premier League table as well.
Didn't think it would even lead to an argument to be honest, just contesting the point that a move from Oldham to Leeds wouldn't be a step forward. But like I say, I'm not interested in Dale and I doubt Leeds are either if a fee's involved.
I wasn't that impressed by Dale Stephens. During the final game against Walsall there were rumours that he had been sent back to Oldham already although I think this subsequently proved incorrect. The news in the Echo last week was a bit strange as I didn't expect anyone to be looking at Stephens let alone Bolton and Leeds. My opinion was that he was a stop-gap to provide cover and I didn't think he added anything to the squad. It was staggering that teams like Leeds and Premiership Bolton were linked with him both of whom would represent a huge step up. I also think that he is not especially better than anything he have at the moment. Certainly he is not of the same calibre as Lallana, Hammond, Oxlade-Chamberlain or Morgan Schneiderlin. I was surprised to read that we are still interested in him. Not been convinced by Gobern either - seems a bit of a fringe player and felt some of the home matches passed him by. Curious to see how some Saints fan perceive Leeds. Leeds are one of the biggest clubs in the country and probably the largest club outside of the Premiership. There is a lot of antipathy towards Leeds as a consequence of the team that Don Revie created which was generally hated by impartial fans. In recent years the Leeds fans have been the most passionate fans to have visited St. Mary's in recent years and only the visit by Portsmouth has quite matched the intensity. I think Leeds will go up next year and along with West Ham, will provide the main competition for those teams looking for a promotion place.
If Gobern doesn't agree a new deal and we can get Stephens pretty cheap then I don't see why we shouldn't go for him.
I would prefer Stephens to Gobern, but neither of them is going to be the player who wins us promotion from the championship. They look nailed on League 1 players to me.
